Assembly Including a Mounting Portion and an Implement-Retaining Portion

ABSTRACT

An assembly ( 100, 200 ) is disclosed. The assembly ( 100, 200 ) includes a mounting portion ( 112 ) and an implement-retaining portion ( 114, 214 ). The mounting portion ( 112 ) includes a body portion ( 112   a ) and a substrate-penetrating portion ( 112   b ). The body portion ( 112   a ) is defined by a substrate-engaging portion ( 112   a   1 ) and an implement retainer interface portion ( 112   a   2 ). The implement-retaining portion ( 114, 214 ) is removably-connected to the implement retainer interface portion ( 112   a   2 ).

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This U.S. patent application is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/679,297 filed Aug. 17, 2017, which is acontinuation-in-part of, and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 120 toU.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/086,019 filed Mar. 30, 2016, thedisclosure of which is considered part of the disclosure of thisapplication and is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The disclosure relates to an assembly including a mounting portion andan implement-retaining portion.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

Implement-retainers are known. While existing implement retainersperform adequately for their intended purpose, improvements to implementretainers are continuously being sought in order to advance the arts.

SUMMARY

One aspect of the disclosure provides an assembly including a mountingportion and an implement-retaining portion. The mounting portionincludes a body portion and a substrate-penetrating portion. The bodyportion is defined by a substrate-engaging portion and an implementretainer interface portion connected to the substrate-engaging portion.The implement-retaining portion is removably-connected to the implementretainer interface portion of the body portion of the mounting portion.

Implementations of the disclosure may include one or more of thefollowing optional features. For example, the implement retainerinterface portion of the body portion of the mounting portion includesan implement-retaining-portion-engaging surface. Theimplement-retaining-portion-engaging surface defines a plurality ofmale-receiving portions and a plurality of wedging passages. Theplurality of male-receiving portions includes a plurality of femaleportions. The plurality of female portions includes a first pair offemale portions defined by a first female portion and a second femaleportion. The plurality of female portions also includes second pair offemale portions defined by a third female portion and a fourth femaleportion. The plurality of wedging passages includes a first wedgingpassage and a second wedging passage.

In some implementations, the first wedging passage is arranged betweenthe first female portion of the first pair of female portions and thesecond female portion first pair of female portions. The second wedgingpassage is arranged between the third female portion of the second pairof female portions and the fourth female portion of the second pair offemale portions.

In some examples, the implement retainer interface portion of the bodyportion of the mounting portion includes a first half and a second half.The first wedging passage and the first pair of female portions aredefined by the first half of the implement retainer interface portion ofthe body portion of the mounting portion. The second wedging passage andthe second pair of female portions are defined by the second half of theimplement retainer interface portion of the body portion of the mountingportion.

In some implementations, the implement-retaining portion includes amounting-portion-engaging surface. The implement-retaining portionincludes a plurality of male portions extending away from themounting-portion-engaging surface. The plurality of male portions aredefined by a first wedging portion, a second wedging portion and a pairof registration portions including a first registration portion and asecond registration portion.

In some examples, the plurality of male portions of theimplement-retaining portion are removably-interfaced with the pluralityof male-receiving portions of the mounting portion. The pair ofregistration portions is removably-interfaced with one of the first pairof female portions and the second pair of female portions. The firstwedging portion is removably-interfaced with one of the first wedgingpassage and the second wedging passage. The second wedging portion isremovably-interfaced with the other of the first wedging passage and thesecond wedging passage.

In some implementations, the implement retainer interface portion of thebody portion of the mounting portion is defined by aneck-portion-engaging surface and animplement-retaining-portion-engaging surface. The neck-portion-engagingsurface is shaped for contacting the first wedging portion of theplurality of male portions of the implement-retaining portion. Theimplement-retaining-portion-engaging surface that is shaped to contactor be arranged opposite the mounting-portion-engaging surface of theimplement-retaining portion.

In some examples, the first wedging portion is defined by a head portionand a neck portion. The neck portion is connected to the head portion.The neck portion extends away from the mounting-portion-engagingsurface.

In some implementations, the neck portion includes a first side surfaceand an opposite second side surface that are joined by an intermediatesurface. The first side surface and the second side surface are arrangedin a non-parallel, converging relationship.

In some examples, the second wedging portion includes a first sidesurface and an opposite second side surface that are joined by anintermediate surface. The first side surface and the second side surfaceare arranged in a non-parallel, converging relationship.

In some implementations, the implement-retaining portion includes amounting-portion-engaging surface. The implement-retaining portionincludes a plurality of male portions extending away from themounting-portion-engaging surface. The plurality of male portions aredefined by a first wedging portion, a second wedging portion and a pairof clamping portions including a first clamping portion and a secondclamping portion.

In some instances, the plurality of male portions of theimplement-retaining portion are removably-interfaced with the pluralityof male-receiving portions of the mounting portion. The first wedgingportion is removably-interfaced with one of the first wedging passageand the second wedging passage, and the second wedging portion isremovably-interfaced with the other of the first wedging passage and thesecond wedging passage.

In some examples, a first mounting-portion-engaging-surface of each ofthe first clamping portion and the second clamping portion is sized forengaging the implement-retaining-portion-engaging surface. A secondmounting-portion-engaging surface of each of the first clamping portionand the second clamping portion is sized for engaging a side surface ofthe body portion of the mounting portion that connects theneck-portion-engaging surface to theimplement-retaining-portion-engaging surface.

In some implementations, at least the substrate-engaging portion of thebody portion of the mounting portion is bendably or flexibly connectedto the implement retainer interface portion of the body portion of themounting portion.

In some examples, the substrate-penetrating portion may be formed from arigid, non-flexible material. The substrate-penetrating portion isthreaded fastener having a shaft portion and a threaded portionextending away from the shaft portion.

In some implementations, a head portion of the substrate-penetratingportion is arranged within a passage formed by the substrate-engagingportion of the body portion of the mounting portion.

In some examples, the substrate-engaging portion of the body portion ofthe mounting portion defines a substrate-mounting surface having acircumferential engagement lip including a plurality of protuberances.

Another aspect of the disclosure provides a portion of an assemblyincluding a mounting portion. The mounting portion includes a bodyportion and a substrate-penetrating portion. The body portion is definedby a substrate-engaging portion and an implement retainer interfaceportion connected to the substrate-engaging portion.

Implementations of the disclosure may include one or more of thefollowing optional features. For example, the implement retainerinterface portion of the body portion of the mounting portion includesan implement-retaining-portion-engaging surface. Theimplement-retaining-portion-engaging surface defines a plurality ofmale-receiving portions and a plurality of wedging passages. Theplurality of male-receiving portions includes a plurality of femaleportions. The plurality of female portions includes a first pair offemale portions defined by a first female portion and a second femaleportion. The plurality of female portions also includes second pair offemale portions defined by a third female portion and a fourth femaleportion. The plurality of wedging passages includes a first wedgingpassage and a second wedging passage.

In some implementations, the first wedging passage is arranged betweenthe first female portion of the first pair of female portions and thesecond female portion first pair of female portions. The second wedgingpassage is arranged between the third female portion of the second pairof female portions and the fourth female portion of the second pair offemale portions.

In some examples, the implement retainer interface portion of the bodyportion of the mounting portion includes a first half and a second half.The first wedging passage and the first pair of female portions aredefined by the first half of the implement retainer interface portion ofthe body portion of the mounting portion. The second wedging passage andthe second pair of female portions are defined by the second half of theimplement retainer interface portion of the body portion of the mountingportion.

In some implementations, the implement retainer interface portion of thebody portion of the mounting portion is defined by aneck-portion-engaging surface and animplement-retaining-portion-engaging surface.

In some examples, at least the substrate-engaging portion of the bodyportion of the mounting portion is bendably or flexibly connected to theimplement retainer interface portion of the body portion of the mountingportion.

In some implementations, the substrate-penetrating portion may be formedfrom a rigid, non-flexible material. The substrate-penetrating portionis threaded fastener having a shaft portion and a threaded portionextending away from the shaft portion.

In some examples, a head portion of the substrate-penetrating portion isarranged within a passage formed by the substrate-engaging portion ofthe body portion of the mounting portion.

In some implementations, the substrate-engaging portion of the bodyportion of the mounting portion defines a substrate-mounting surfacehaving a circumferential engagement lip including a plurality ofprotuberances.

In yet another aspect of the disclosure provides a portion of anassembly including an implement-retaining portion. Theimplement-retaining portion includes a mounting-portion-engaging surfaceand an opposite implement-engaging surface. The implement-retainingportion includes a plurality of male portions extending away from themounting-portion-engaging surface. The plurality of male portions aredefined by a first wedging portion, a second wedging portion and a pairof registration portions including a first registration portion and asecond registration portion.

Implementations of the disclosure may include one or more of thefollowing optional features. For example, the first wedging portion isdefined by a head portion and a neck portion. The neck portion isconnected to the head portion. The neck portion extends away from themounting-portion-engaging surface.

In some examples, the second wedging portion includes a first sidesurface and an opposite second side surface that are joined by anintermediate surface. The first side surface and the second side surfaceare arranged in a non-parallel, converging relationship.

In some implementations, the second wedging portion includes a firstside surface and an opposite second side surface that are joined by anintermediate surface. The first side surface and the second side surfaceare arranged in a non-parallel, converging relationship.

In some examples, the implement-engaging surface is defined by asubstantially flat surface.

In some implementations, the implement-engaging surface is defined by astorage pocket.

In some examples, the implement-engaging surface is defined by a storagepocket a hook.

In some implementations, the implement-engaging surface is defined by astorage pocket a frictional surface including a plurality of bumps.

In some examples, the implement-engaging surface includes an adhesive.

In yet another aspect of the disclosure provides a portion of anassembly including an implement-retaining portion. Theimplement-retaining portion includes an implement-retaining portionincluding a mounting-portion-engaging surface and an oppositeimplement-engaging surface. The implement-retaining portion includes aplurality of male portions extending away from themounting-portion-engaging surface. The plurality of male portions aredefined by a first wedging portion, a second wedging portion and a pairof clamping portions including a first clamping portion and a secondclamping portion.

The details of one or more implementations of the disclosure are setforth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Otheraspects, features, and advantages will be apparent from the descriptionand drawings, and from the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure will now be described, by way of example, with referenceto the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a top view of an exemplary assembly including a mountingportion and an implement-retaining portion.

FIG. 2 is a lateral side view of the assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a front side view of the assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is another perspective view of the assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a top view of an exemplary assembly including a mountingportion and an implement-retaining portion.

FIG. 8 is a front side view of the assembly of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a lateral side view of the assembly of FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the assembly of FIG. 7.

FIG. 11A is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary assemblyincluding a mounting portion and an implement-retaining portion.

FIG. 11B is an assembled perspective view of the assembly of FIG. 11

FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary assemblyincluding a mounting portion and an implement-retaining portion.

FIG. 13 is a side view of the assembly of FIG. 12 arranged in anassembled state.

FIGS. 14A-14I are cross-sectional views of the assembly of FIG. 12referenced from line 14-14 of FIG. 11B.

FIGS. 14A′-14I′ are cross-sectional views of the assembly of FIG. 12referenced from line 14′-14′ of FIG. 11B.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of an exemplary mounting portion.

FIG. 16 is a front view of the mounting portion of FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 is a side view of the mounting portion of FIG. 15.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of an exemplary implement-retainingportion.

FIG. 18′ is a perspective view of an exemplary implement-retainingportion.

FIG. 18″ is a perspective view of an exemplary implement-retainingportion.

FIG. 19 is a front view of the implement-retaining portion of FIG. 18.

FIG. 20 is a side view of the implement-retaining portion of FIG. 18.

FIG. 21 is a rear perspective view of an exemplary implement-retainingportion.

FIG. 22 is a front perspective view of an exemplary implement-retainingportion.

FIG. 23 is a rear perspective view of an exemplary implement-retainingportion.

FIG. 24 is a front perspective view of an exemplary implement-retainingportion.

FIG. 25 is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary assemblyincluding a mounting portion and an implement-retaining portion.

FIG. 26 is an assembled perspective view of the assembly of FIG. 25.

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of the mounting portion of the assembly ofFIG. 25.

FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional view according to line 28-28 of FIG. 25.

FIGS. 29A-29E are cross-sectional views of the assembly of FIG. 25referenced from line 29 of FIG. 28.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The figures illustrate an exemplary implementation of an assemblyincluding a mounting portion and an implement-retaining portion. Basedon the foregoing, it is to be generally understood that the nomenclatureused herein is simply for convenience and the terms used to describe theinvention should be given the broadest meaning by one of ordinary skillin the art.

Referring to FIGS. 1-6, an assembly including a rotatably-adjustable,self-boring mount for fixtures may include a hollow, deformable,dome-shaped base element 11 made of a thermoplastic material. In someexamples, the base element 11 may be defined by a ratio in which theratio of the width of the base element 11 to the height of the baseelement 11 can be between 4 inches and 8 inches. In another example, adiameter of the base element 11 may be between 1.5 inches and 2.5inches. A self-boring, screw element 12 may be attached to the undersideof the base element 11. In some implementations, the base element 11includes a convex, fixture-supporting topside portion 9, a concave,substrate-facing, underside portion 3 opposite the topside portion 9, agenerally cylindrical or frustoconical hub 4 extending perpendicularlyaway from a center of the underside portion 3, and a substrate-engagingportion defined by a circumferential edge 2 of the base element 11. Aplurality of protuberances 1 (which may alternatively be referred to asa “detents” or “nubs”) extends away from the circumferential edge 2.Each detent 1 may be defined by a hemispherical shape and a basediameter that is less than or equal to a width of the circumferentialedge 2. The protuberances 1 may be uniformly spaced-apart along thecircumferential edge 2. The detents 1 provide additional frictionbetween the circumferential edge 2 and an underlying substrate in orderto prevent unintentional rotation of the base element 11. The generallycylindrical or frustoconical hub 4 may be defined by a flat lowersurface. When arranged adjacent an underlying substrate, the lowersurface of the generally cylindrical or frustoconical hub 4 prevent thescrew element 12 to further penetration of the underlying substrate,which, in turn, prevents an excessive deformation of base element 11.The screw element 12 may include a non-circular head portion 5 (e.g., ahex head, a thumb-screw head or the like) that resists twisting whenembedded in the base element 11, a shaft with a threaded portion 8, anoptional non-threaded portion 10, and a pointed substrate-engaging tip 6with sharp threads to facilitate self-boring penetration of theunderlying substrate and fixation to the underlying substrate withsufficient grip to compress the circumferential edge 2 against theunderlying substrate in order to effectuate a counteracting elasticdeformation of the dome-shaped base element 11. The non-circular headportion 5 is rigidly embedded in the generally cylindrical orfrustoconical hub 4. The threaded portion 8 may have a thread densitybetween approximately about 10-to-16 threads per inch. The treadedportion 8 and the non-threaded portion 10 (which may be collectivelyreferred to as the “shank” of the screw element) may be optionallytapered. The top 6 of the screw element 12 may be optionally defined asa self-tapping tip and/or a self-drilling tip. The length of the screwelement 12 may be any desirable length between about, for example, 0.5inches and 1.5 inches. A fixture such as a conduit holder 7 may beattached to the topside portion 9 of the base element 11.

Because the base element 11 may be rigidly attached to the screw element12, a force applied to the fixture 7 in a plane substantiallyperpendicular to an axis extending along the length of the screw element12 is counteracted by a force exerted upon the underlying substrate bythe circumferential edge 2 of the elastically deformable, spring-likebase element 11; this spring-like quality imparts additional strength tothe overall assembly while: (1) the screw element 12 still permits quickand easy installation, and (2) the spring-like quality of base element11 permits 360° rotation of the assembly while maintaining uniformpressure against the underlying substrate, thereby preserving strengthregardless of the rotational positioning of the assembly.

Another assembly including a rotatably-adjustable, self-boring mount forfixtures is shown at FIGS. 7-10. The assembly illustrated at FIGS. 7-10is substantially similar to the assembly illustrated at FIGS. 1-6 withthe exception that a self-boring, single screw (see e.g., screw element12 of FIGS. 1-6) is not insert-molded into the base element (see e.g.,screw element 11 of FIGS. 1-6). Rather, a countersunk hole 13 isprovided into which a separate, self-boring, single screw may beinserted and seated. In some instances, the hole 13 may be bored throughan axial center of the base element 11 and the generally cylindrical orfrustoconical hub 4. The hole 13 may be defined by a wider, optionallyconical and tapered upper portion 14 and a narrower lower portion 15such that a screw (not shown and supplied separately) including a headportion and a narrower shaft portion can be inserted into the hole withthe bottom of said head portion seated against the surface formed by thejunction of the wider upper portion 14 and the narrower lower portion 15of the hole 13. In some examples, the head portion may be narrower thanthe diameter of the wider upper portion 14 of the hole 13, but widerthan the diameter of the narrower lower portion 15 of the hole 13. Inother examples, the upper portion of the hole 13 is conical and tapered.The assembly may be affixed to an underlying substrate with aseparately-supplied screw (not shown).

The assembly depicted in FIGS. 1-6 and the assembly depicted in FIGS.7-10 may be interfaced with a conduit holder that is attached to the topportion 9 of the rotatable base element 11. However, the implementationsof the assemblies disclosed respectively at FIGS. 1-6 and FIGS. 7-10 areexemplary uses. Accordingly, other assemblies may include differentholders, fixtures, hooks, anchors, or cleats (rather than a conduitholder).

In some examples, the screw element 12 may be defined by a 1.5″ steelscrew element that is insert-molded with a 2″ diameter base element 11formed from polypropylene in an injection-molding machine. Typically,the wall thickness of base element 11 (i.e. the distance between theconvex, fixture-supporting topside portion 9 and the concave,substrate-facing, underside portion 3) is uniform. An exemplary wallthickness (when, for example, the base element 11 is defined by a 2″diameter and formed from polypropylene) may be 0.093 inches. In otherexamples, the base element 11 may be made of any elastic material solong as the wall thickness of the base element 11 is adjustedcorrelatively to produce a similar modulus of flexibility. In theembodiment described above at FIGS. 1-6, the generally cylindrical orfrustoconical hub 4 extends from the center of the underside portion 3of the base element 11 in the direction of the underlying substratealong the axis of the screw element 12 at a distance less than thefurthest extent of the nubs 1 on the circumferential edge 2 by 150% ofthe thread pitch of the screw element 12; this relationship between thelower extent of the base element 11 and the lower extent of thegenerally cylindrical or frustoconical hub 4 permits the base element 11to rotate 360° while maintaining contact between the nubs 1 and theunderlying substrate, yet avoids excessive deformation of the baseelement 11 by over-penetration of the screw element 12 into theunderlying substrate.

FIGS. 11A-13, 14F and 14F′ illustrate an exemplary assembly showngenerally at 100. The assembly 100 includes a mounting portion 112 andan implement-retaining portion 114. The mounting portion 112removably-secures the assembly 100 to an underlying substrate S (see,e.g., FIGS. 11A-11B), such as, for example, a tree, drywall, a wall studor the like. The implement-retaining portion 114 removably-secures animplement (e.g., an article of clothing such as a hat, a smart phone, acamera, or the like—not shown) to the assembly 100. As will becomeapparent in the following disclosure, the mounting portion 112 providesmating structure (e.g., a plurality of male-receiving portions 128 asseen in FIG. 12) that acts as a universal interface that permitsattachment of a variety of different implement-retaining portions 114(see e.g., FIGS. 21-24) each having a mating structure (e.g., aplurality of male portions 138 as seen in FIG. 12) that corresponds tothe mating structure of the mounting portion 112.

As seen in FIG. 11A, the mounting portion 112 includes a body portion112 a and a substrate-penetrating portion 112 b. The body portion 112 amay be further defined by a substrate-engaging portion 112 a ₁ and animplement retainer interface portion 112 a ₂.

Referring to FIGS. 11A-11B, when the mounting portion 112 of theassembly 100 is removably-secured to the underlying substrate S, thesubstrate-engaging portion 112 a ₁ of the body portion 112 a may bedisposed adjacent an exterior surface S_(S) of the underlying substrateS. Furthermore, when the mounting portion 112 of the assembly 100 isremovably-secured to the underlying substrate S, thesubstrate-penetrating portion 112 b may be at least partially extendedinto at least a portion of a thickness of the underlying substrate S.

In some implementations, at least the substrate-engaging portion 112 a ₁of the body portion 112 a of the mounting portion 112 may be permittedto bend or flex relative to the implement retainer interface portion 112a ₂ of the body portion 112 a of the mounting portion 112. The bendingor flexibility of the substrate-engaging portion 112 a ₁ may result fromone or both of, for example, a reduction in a thickness of thesubstrate-engaging portion 112 a ₁ and a selection of a non-rigid,flexible material (e.g., polypropylene) utilized for forming thesubstrate-engaging portion 112 a ₁. Accordingly, in some examples, theimplement retainer interface portion 112 a ₂ may be defined by the samematerial (e.g., polypropylene) as the substrate-engaging portion 112 a ₁but formed to be defined by a comparatively greater thickness than thatof the substrate-engaging portion 112 a ₁ (in order to inhibit or resistbending or flexing of the implement retainer interface portion 112 a ₂);alternatively, the implement retainer interface portion 112 a ₂ may beformed from a rigid, non-flexible material such that the mountingportion 112 is formed in a multi-shot or two-shot injection moldingprocess whereby the substrate-engaging portion 112 a ₁ is formed from afirst, flexible material and the implement retainer interface portion112 a ₂ is formed from a second, non-flexible material.

In some examples, the substrate-penetrating portion 112 b may be formedfrom a rigid, non-flexible material (e.g., a metal such as, for example,steel). Furthermore, as seen, for example, in FIGS. 13 and 14A-14I′, thesubstrate-penetrating portion 112 b may be, for example, a self-boringthreaded fastener (e.g., a screw) defined by a shaft portion 112 b ₁having a sharp distal tip 112 b ₂ and a threaded portion 112 b ₃extending away from the shaft portion 112 b ₁.

While the rigidity of the implement retainer interface portion 112 a ₂of the body portion 112 a of the mounting portion 112 and thesubstrate-penetrating portion 112 b may result in a more robust assembly100 that permits heavier implements to be supported by the assembly 100and be secured to the underlying substrate S, the relative flexibilityof the substrate-engaging portion 112 a ₁ of the body portion 112 a ofthe mounting portion 112 provides a beneficial functionality of theassembly 100. For example, when an external force (see, e.g., arrow F inFIG. 11B) is directed to one or both of the implement-retaining portion114 and the body portion 112 a of the mounting portion 112, thesubstrate-engaging portion 112 a ₁ of the body portion 112 a of themounting portion 112 may flex and partially distribute theexternally-applied force F to the exterior surface S_(S) of theunderlying substrate S such that all of the externally-applied force Fis not translated to and concentrated upon a head portion 112 b 4 (see,e.g., FIGS. 14A-14I) of the substrate-penetrating portion 112 b. As aresult of the partial distribution of the externally-applied force F bythe substrate-engaging portion 112 a ₁ of the body portion 112 a of themounting portion 112, the mounting portion 112 is less likely to besheared off from the head portion 112 b 4 of the substrate-penetratingportion 112 b of the assembly 100 thereby mitigating damage to one ormore of the assembly 100 and the underlying substrate S.

In some instances, the substrate-penetrating portion 112 b may be joinedto the substrate-engaging portion 112 a ₁ of the body portion 112 a ofthe mounting portion 112 by, for example, arranging the head portion 112b 4 of the substrate-penetrating portion 112 b within a passage, recessor cavity 115 (see, e.g., FIGS. 14A-14I) formed by thesubstrate-engaging portion 112 a ₁ of the body portion 112 a of themounting portion 112. In some examples, the substrate-penetratingportion 112 b may be arranged within a mold tool (not shown) such thatwhen the substrate-engaging portion 112 a ₁ of the body portion 112 a ofthe mounting portion 112 is formed by material injected into the moldtool, the injected material defining the substrate-engaging portion 112a ₁ of the body portion 112 a of the mounting portion 112 may be moldedover the head portion 112 b 4 of the substrate-penetrating portion 112 bsuch that the head portion 112 b 4 forms the recess or cavity 115 of thesubstrate-engaging portion 112 a ₁ of the body portion 112 a of themounting portion 112. In other examples, the recess or cavity 115 of thesubstrate-engaging portion 112 a ₁ of the body portion 112 a of themounting portion 112 may be pre-formed by a mold tool and the headportion 112 b 4 of the substrate-penetrating portion 112 b may besubsequently inserted into the pre-formed recess or cavity 115 of thesubstrate-engaging portion 112 a ₁ of the body portion 112 a of themounting portion 112.

Referring to FIG. 12, the implement retainer interface portion 112 a ₂of the body portion 112 a of the mounting portion 112 is shown includinga plurality of male-receiving portions 128 defined by a plurality offemale portions 130 and a plurality of wedging passages 132.Furthermore, the implement-retaining portion 114 is shown including aplurality of male portions 138 defined by a first wedging portion 140, asecond wedging portion 142 and a pair of registration portions 144. Asseen in FIG. 12, a plurality of dashed lines are shown for the purposeof providing an exemplary illustration of the correspondence between theplurality of male-receiving portions 128 of the mounting portion 112 andthe plurality of male portions 138 of the implement-retaining portion114. When the plurality of male portions 138 of the implement-retainingportion 114 are interfaced with (some but not all of) the male-receivingportions 128 of the mounting portion 112, the assembly 100 is formed asseen, for example in FIGS. 11B, 13, 14F and 14F′. Exemplary steps forassembling the assembly 100 is shown and described at FIGS. 14A-14F;furthermore, steps for disassembling the assembly 100 is shown anddescribed at FIGS. 14G-14I′.

Referring to FIGS. 15-17, an implementation of the mounting portion 112is described. With reference to FIG. 17, the substrate-engaging portion112 a ₁ of the body portion 112 a of the mounting portion 112 may bedefined by: (1) a substrate-mounting surface 116 that is shaped forcontacting the exterior surface S_(S) of the underlying substrate S and(2) an opposite, non-mounting surface 118 that is shaped to not contactthe exterior surface S_(S) of the underlying substrate S.

With reference to FIG. 17, the implement retainer interface portion 112a ₂ of the body portion 112 a of the mounting portion 112 may be definedby a neck-portion-engaging surface 120 that is shaped for contacting asurface (see, e.g., 140 a ₂ in FIG. 20) of at least one male portion(see, e.g., 140 in FIG. 20) of the plurality of male portions 138 of theimplement-retaining portion 114. Furthermore, the implement retainerinterface portion 112 a ₂ of the body portion 112 a of the mountingportion 112 may be further defined by an opposite,implement-retaining-portion-engaging surface 122 that is shaped tocontact and/or be arranged opposite a mounting-portion-engaging surface134 (see, e.g., FIGS. 18-20) of the implement-retaining portion 114.

As seen in FIG. 17, each of the non-mounting surface 118 of thesubstrate-engaging portion 112 a ₁ of the body portion 112 a of themounting portion 112 and the neck-portion-engaging surface 120 of theimplement retainer interface portion 112 a ₂ of the body portion 112 aof the mounting portion 112 may be defined by a dome shape. A peak orsummit of the dome shape of each of the non-mounting surface 118 and theneck-portion-engaging surface 120 are disposed adjacent one another forjoining the substrate-engaging portion 112 a ₁ of the body portion 112 aof the mounting portion 112 to the implement retainer interface portion112 a ₂ of the body portion 112 a of the mounting portion 112.

Furthermore, as seen in FIGS. 15 and 17, the substrate-mounting surface116 of the substrate-engaging portion 112 a ₁ of the body portion 112 aof the mounting portion 112 may be defined by a circumferentialengagement lip 124 that is shaped for contacting the exterior surfaceS_(S) of the underlying substrate S. In some instances, thecircumferential engagement lip 124 may be further defined to include aplurality of detents, nubs or protuberances 126. When arranged adjacentthe exterior surface S_(S) of the underlying substrate S, the pluralityof protuberances 126 may frictionally engage the exterior surface S_(S)of the underlying substrate S, thereby resisting an over-rotation R(see, e.g., FIG. 11B) of the substrate-engaging portion 112 a ₁ of thebody portion 112 a of the mounting portion 112 relative the underlyingsubstrate S when the mounting portion 112 is joined to the underlyingsubstrate S.

With reference to FIG. 15, the implement-retaining-portion-engagingsurface 122 of the implement retainer interface portion 112 a ₂ of thebody portion 112 a of the mounting portion 112 defines a plurality ofmale-receiving portions 128 that are respectively sized for beinginterfaced with the plurality of male portions 138 extending from themounting-portion-engaging surface 134 of the implement-retaining portion114. In an example, the plurality of male-receiving portions 128 may bedefined by a plurality of female portions 130 and a plurality of wedgingpassages 132.

The plurality of female portions 130 may be defined by a first pair offemale portions 130 a (including a first female portion 130 a ₁ of theplurality of female portions 130 and a second female portion 130 a ₂ ofthe plurality of female portions 130) and a second pair of femaleportions 130 b (including a third female portion 130 b ₁ of theplurality of female portions 130 and a fourth female portion 130 b ₂ ofthe plurality of female portions 130). The plurality of wedging passages132 may be defined by a first wedging passage 132 a and a second wedgingpassage 132 b.

The first wedging passage 132 a is associated with the first pair offemale portions 130 a and is arranged between the first female portion130 a ₁ and the second female portion 130 a ₂. The second wedgingpassage 132 b is associated with the second pair of female portions 130b and is arranged between the third female portion 130 b ₁ and thefourth female portion 130 b ₂.

As seen in FIGS. 15-16, the implement retainer interface portion 112 a ₂of the body portion 112 a of the mounting portion 112 may be dividedinto a first (upper) half 112 a ₂₋₁ and a second (lower) half 112 a ₂₋₂.The first wedging passage 132 a and the first pair of female portions130 a are defined by the implement-retaining-portion-engaging surface122 and provided by the first half 112 a ₂₋₁ of the implement retainerinterface portion 112 a ₂ of the body portion 112 a of the mountingportion 112. The second wedging passage 132 b and the second pair offemale portions 130 b are defined by theimplement-retaining-portion-engaging surface 122 and provided by thesecond half 112 a ₂₋₂ of the implement retainer interface portion 112 a₂ of the body portion 112 a of the mounting portion 112.

Referring to FIGS. 18-20, an implementation of the implement-retainingportion 114 is described. With reference to FIG. 20, theimplement-retaining portion 114 may be defined by: (1) amounting-portion-engaging surface 134 that is shaped for being arrangedopposite the implement-retaining-portion-engaging surface 122 of theimplement retainer interface portion 112 a ₂ of the body portion 112 aof the mounting portion 112 and (2) an opposite, implement-engagingsurface 136 that is shaped for being interfaceable with an implement(e.g., an article of clothing such as a hat, a smart phone, a camera, orthe like). As will be described below in the following disclosure atFIGS. 21-24, the implement-engaging surface 136 may include anydesirable geometry such as, for example, a flat surface (as seen in FIG.20) with, for example, an adhesive, a storage pocket (see, e.g., FIGS.21, 23), a hook (see e.g., FIGS. 11A-11B, 22), a frictional surfacedefined by bumps (see, e.g., FIG. 24) or the like for retaining animplement (e.g., an article of clothing such as a hat, a smart phone, acamera, or the like) thereto.

With reference to FIGS. 18-20, the plurality of male portions 138 extendaway from the mounting-portion-engaging surface 134. The plurality ofmale portions 138 may include a first wedging portion 140, a secondwedging portion 142 and a pair of registration portions 144 (defined bya first registration portion 144 a ₁ and a second registration portion144 a ₂).

With reference to FIG. 20, the first wedging portion 140 may be definedby a head portion 140 a and a neck portion 140 b. The neck portion 140 bis connected to the head portion 140 a. The neck portion 140 b extendsaway from the mounting-portion-engaging surface 134.

As seen in FIG. 19, the neck portion 140 b includes a first side surface140 b ₁ and an opposite second side surface 140 b ₂ that are joined byan intermediate surface 140 b ₃. The first side surface 140 b ₁ and thesecond side surface 140 b ₂ may be arranged in a non-parallel,converging relationship. With reference to FIGS. 15 and 16, the firstside surface 140 b ₁ of the neck portion 140 b is sized for beingdisposed adjacent a first wall surface 132 a ₁ defined by the firstwedging passage 132 a or a first wall surface 132 b ₁ defined by thesecond wedging passage 132 b. With continued reference to FIGS. 15 and16, the second side surface 140 b ₂ of the neck portion 140 b is sizedfor being disposed adjacent a second wall surface 132 a ₂ defined by thefirst wedging passage 132 a or a second wall surface 132 b ₂ defined bythe second wedging passage 132 b.

Referring to FIG. 20, the head portion 140 a includes a first surface140 a ₁ and an opposite second surface 140 a ₂ that are joined by anintermediate surface 140 a ₃. As seen in FIG. 14F, the first surface 140a ₁ of the head portion 140 a is arranged in an opposing relationshipwith respect to the non-mounting surface 118 of the substrate-engagingportion 112 a ₁ of the body portion 112 a of the mounting portion 112when the assembly 100 is arranged in an un-biased state; conversely,when an externally-applied force F is applied to the assembly 100 asdescribed above, the first surface 140 a ₁ of the head portion 140 a issized for being disposed adjacent the non-mounting surface 118 of thesubstrate-engaging portion 112 a ₁ of the body portion 112 a of themounting portion 112 when an external force F is applied to the assembly100. Furthermore, as seen in FIG. 14F, the second surface 140 a ₂ of thehead portion 140 a is sized for being arranged adjacent theneck-portion-engaging surface 120 of the implement retainer interfaceportion 112 a ₂ of the body portion 112 a of the mounting portion 112.

With reference to FIGS. 18-20, the second wedging portion 142 is shownextending away from the mounting-portion-engaging surface 134. As seenin FIG. 19, second wedging portion 142 includes a first side surface 142a ₁ and an opposite second side surface 142 a ₂ that are joined by anintermediate surface 142 a ₃. The first side surface 142 a ₁ and thesecond side surface 142 a ₂ may be arranged in a non-parallel,converging relationship. With reference to FIGS. 15 and 16, the firstside surface 142 a ₁ of the second wedging portion 142 is sized forbeing disposed adjacent the first wall surface 132 b ₁ defined by thesecond wedging passage 132 b or the first wall surface 132 a ₁ definedby the first wedging passage 132 a. With continued reference to FIGS. 15and 16, the second side surface 142 a ₂ of the second wedging portion142 is sized for being disposed adjacent the second wall surface 132 b ₂defined by the second wedging passage 132 b or the second wall surface132 a ₂ defined by the first wedging passage 132 a. Furthermore, theintermediate surface 142 a ₃ of the second wedging portion 142 is sizedfor being disposed adjacent an intermediate wall surface 132 b ₃ definedby the second wedging passage 132 b or an intermediate wall surface 132a ₃ defined by the first wedging passage 132 a.

With reference to FIGS. 18-20, the first registration portion 144 a ₁ ofthe pair of registration portions 144 is shown extending away from themounting-portion-engaging surface 134. As seen in FIG. 19, firstregistration portion 144 a ₁ includes a first side surface 144 a ₁₋₁ andan opposite second side surface 144 a ₁₋₂ that are joined by anintermediate surface 144 a ₁₋₃. The first side surface 144 a ₁₋₁ and thesecond side surface 144 a ₁₋₂ may be arranged in a non-parallel,converging relationship.

With reference to FIGS. 15 and 16, the first side surface 144 a ₁₋₁ ofthe first registration portion 144 a ₁ is sized for being disposedadjacent a first wall surface 13 ba ₂₋₁ defined by the fourth femaleportion 130 b ₂ of the plurality of female portions 130 or a first wallsurface 130 a ₁₋₁ defined by the first female portion 130 a ₁ of theplurality of female portions 130. With continued reference to FIGS. 15and 16, the second side surface 144 a ₁₋₂ of the first registrationportion 144 a ₁ is sized for being disposed adjacent a second wallsurface 130 b ₂₋₂ defined by the fourth female portion 130 b ₂ of theplurality of female portions 130 or a second wall surface 130 a ₁₋₂defined by the first female portion 130 a ₁ of the plurality of femaleportions 130. Furthermore, the intermediate surface 144 a ₁₋₃ of thefirst registration portion 144 a ₁ is sized for being disposed adjacentan intermediate wall surface 130 b ₂₋₃ defined by the fourth femaleportion 130 b ₂ of the plurality of female portions 130 or anintermediate wall surface 130 a ₁₋₃ defined by the first female portion130 a ₁ of the plurality of female portions 130.

With reference to FIGS. 18-20, the second registration portion 144 a ₂of the pair of registration portions 144 is shown extending away fromthe mounting-portion-engaging surface 134. As seen in FIG. 19, secondregistration portion 144 a ₂ includes a first side surface 144 a ₂₋₁ andan opposite second side surface 144 a ₂₋₂ that are joined by anintermediate surface 144 a ₂₋₃. The first side surface 144 a ₂₋₁ and thesecond side surface 144 a ₂₋₂ may be arranged in a non-parallel,converging relationship.

With reference to FIGS. 15 and 16, the first side surface 144 a ₂₋₁ ofthe second registration portion 144 a ₂ is sized for being disposedadjacent a first wall surface 130 b ₁₋₁ defined by the third femaleportion 130 b ₁ of the plurality of female portions 130 or a first wallsurface 130 a ₂₋₁ defined by the second female portion 130 a ₂ of theplurality of female portions 130. With continued reference to FIGS. 15and 16, the second side surface 144 a ₂₋₂ of the second registrationportion 144 a ₂ is sized for being disposed adjacent a second wallsurface 130 b ₁₋₂ defined by the third female portion 130 b ₁ of theplurality of female portions 130 or a second wall surface 130 a ₂₋₂defined by the second female portion 130 a ₂ of the plurality of femaleportions 130. Furthermore, the intermediate surface 144 a ₂₋₃ of thesecond registration portion 144 a ₂ is sized for being disposed adjacentan intermediate wall surface 130 b ₁₋₃ defined by the third femaleportion 130 b ₁ of the plurality of female portions 130 or anintermediate wall surface 130 a ₂₋₃ defined by the second female portion130 a ₂ of the plurality of female portions 130.

Another exemplary implementation of a plurality of male portions isshown generally at 138′ in FIG. 18′. The plurality of male portions 138′extend away from the mounting-portion-engaging surface 134′. Theplurality of male portions 138′ may include a first wedging portion140′, a second wedging portion 142′ and a pair of registration portions144′ (defined by a first registration portion 144 a ₁′ and a secondregistration portion 144 a ₂′).

The plurality of male portions 138′ may also include a third wedgingportion 145′ that is aligned with the first wedging portion 140′ and thesecond wedging portion 142′. Furthermore, the second wedging portion142′ is located between the first wedging portion 140′ and the thirdwedging portion 145′. The third wedging portion 145′ may be defined by asubstantially cylindrical post that is located within one of the firstwedging passage 132 a and the second wedging passage 132 b of theplurality of wedging passages 132. Furthermore, a distal tip 147′ of thethird wedging portion 145′ may be disposed adjacent the non-mountingsurface 118 of the substrate-engaging portion 112 a ₁ of the bodyportion 112 a of the mounting portion 112 in order to provide furtherstability to the implement-retaining portion 114′ when theimplement-retaining portion 114′ is joined to the mounting portion 112.

Furthermore, a head portion 140 a′ of the first wedging portion 140′includes a first surface 140 a ₁′ that may define a recess or groove149′. The recess or groove 149′ may be sized for receiving a projection146 a, 146 b (see, e.g., FIGS. 16-17) extending from the non-mountingsurface 118 of the substrate-engaging portion 112 a ₁ of the bodyportion 112 a of the mounting portion 112. Each projection 146 a, 146 bmay be respectively aligned with the first wedging passage 132 a and thesecond wedging passage 132 b of the plurality of wedging passages 132formed by the implement retainer interface portion 112 a ₂ of the bodyportion 112 a of the mounting portion 112. Registration of one of theprojections 146 a, 146 b within the recess or groove 149′ providesfurther stability to the implement-retaining portion 114′ when theimplement-retaining portion 114′ is joined to the mounting portion 112.

Another exemplary implementation of a plurality of male portions isshown generally at 138″ in FIG. 18″. The plurality of male portions 138″extend away from the mounting-portion-engaging surface 134″. Theplurality of male portions 138″ may include a first wedging portion140″, a second wedging portion 142″ and a pair of registration portions144″ (defined by a first registration portion 144 a ₁″ and a secondregistration portion 144 a ₂″).

The plurality of male portions 138″ may also include a third wedgingportion 145″ that is aligned with the first wedging portion 140″ and thesecond wedging portion 142″. Furthermore, the second wedging portion142″ is located between the first wedging portion 140″ and the thirdwedging portion 145″. The third wedging portion 145″ may be defined by asubstantially cylindrical post that is located within one of the firstwedging passage 132 a and the second wedging passage 132 b of theplurality of wedging passages 132. Furthermore, a distal tip 147″ of thethird wedging portion 145″ may be defined by a substantially oval-shapedmember having a front surface 147 ₁″ and a rear surface 1472″. The frontsurface 147 ₁″ is disposed adjacent the non-mounting surface 118 of thesubstrate-engaging portion 112 a ₁ of the body portion 112 a of themounting portion 112 in order to provide further stability to theimplement-retaining portion 114″ when the implement-retaining portion114″ is joined to the mounting portion 112. The rear surface 1472″ isdisposed adjacent and/or “hooked behind” the surface 120 of the of theimplement retainer interface portion 112 a ₂ of the body portion 112 aof the mounting portion 112.

Furthermore, a head portion 140 a″ of the first wedging portion 140″includes a first surface 140 a ₁″ that may define a first recess, grooveor channel 149 a″ and a second recess, groove or channel 149 b″. Therecess or groove 149′ may be sized for receiving first and secondprojections defined by the implement-retaining-portion-engaging surface122 of the mounting portion 112. Registration of the projections withinthe first and second recess, groove or channels 149 a″, 149 b″ providesfurther stability to the implement-retaining portion 114″ when theimplement-retaining portion 114″ is joined to the mounting portion 112.

Referring to FIGS. 14A-14F′, exemplary steps for assembling the assembly100 are shown. Furthermore, as seen in FIGS. 14G-14I′, steps fordisassembling the assembly 100 are also shown.

With reference to FIGS. 14A-14A′, the mounting portion 112 and theimplement-retaining portion 114 are shown in a separated, spaced-apartrelationship. Assuming the mounting portion 112 is removably-secured toan underlying substrate S, the assembly 100 is firstly formed by movingthe implement-retaining portion 114 toward the mounting portion 112 inthe direction of the arrow A1. Although the mounting portion 112 may beremovably-secured to the underlying substrate S, the mounting portion112 does not have to be removably-secured to the underlying substrate Sfor connecting the implement-retaining portion 114 toward the mountingportion 112. As seen in FIG. 14B (which also corresponds to anothercross-section view shown in FIG. 14B′), after the implement-retainingportion 114 is moved toward the mounting portion 112 in the direction ofthe arrow A1, the first wedging portion 140 is axially aligned with thefirst wedging passage 132 a of the plurality of wedging passages 132 ofthe plurality of female portions 130.

Referring to FIGS. 14B-14B′, a reference axis extending along a lengthL₁₁₄ of the implement-retaining portion 114 is shown generally atA₁₁₄-A₁₁₄. Although not required, for purposes of establishing anexemplary frame of reference, the reference axis A₁₁₄-A₁₁₄ may besubstantially parallel to the exterior surface S_(S) of the underlyingsubstrate S. As comparatively seen in FIGS. 14B-14B′ and 14C-14C′, theimplement-retaining portion 114 may then be pivoted away from themounting portion 112 (and away from the reference axis A₁₁₄-A₁₁₄) in thedirection of the arrow A2 at an angle θ (see, e.g., FIGS. 14C-14C′).

As seen in FIG. 14C, while tilted at the angle θ away from the referenceaxis A₁₁₄-A₁₁₄ and while the implement-retaining portion 114 is stillseparated from the mounting portion 112, the neck portion 140 b of thefirst wedging portion 140 is aligned with the first wedging passage 132a of the plurality of wedging passages 132 of the plurality of femaleportions 130. As seen in FIGS. 14C-14C′ through 14E-14E′, theimplement-retaining portion 114 is then moved (with respect to, forexample, a spatially fixed orientation of the mounting portion 112 as aresult of, for example, the mounting portion 112 being removably-securedto the underlying substrate S) according to the direction of arrow A3.Movement of the implement-retaining portion 114 according to thedirection of the arrow A3 results in the neck portion 140 b of the firstwedging portion 140 of the implement-retaining portion 114 beingprogressively wedged within the first wedging passage 132 a as a resultof: (1) the first side surface 140 b ₁ of the neck portion 140 bprogressively coming into contact with and being disposed adjacent thefirst wall surface 132 a ₁ defined by the first wedging passage 132 aand (2) the second side surface 140 b ₂ of the neck portion 140 bprogressively coming into contact with and being disposed adjacent thesecond wall surface 132 a ₂ defined by the first wedging passage 132 a.

Referring to FIGS. 14E-14E′, as a result of the neck portion 140 b ofthe first wedging portion 140 of the implement-retaining portion 114being progressively wedged within the first wedging passage 132 a, theimplement-retaining portion 114 may be said to be partially secured-toor “hooked” about the mounting portion 112. Furthermore, with referenceto FIGS. 14E-14E′, (1) at least a portion of the intermediate surface142 a ₃ of the second wedging portion 142 is spatially arranged below aplane P_(132b) (extending across at least an upper-most portion of theintermediate wall surface 132 b ₃ defined by the second wedging passage132 b; furthermore, the plane P_(132b) may be substantiallyperpendicular with respect to the exterior surface S_(S) of theunderlying substrate S), (2) at least a portion of the intermediatesurface 144 a ₁₋₃ of the first registration portion 144 a ₁ is spatiallyarranged below a plane P_(130b) (extending across at least an upper-mostportion of the intermediate wall surface 130 b ₁₋₃ defined by the fourthfemale portion 130 b ₂ of the plurality of female portions 130;furthermore, the plane P_(130b) may be substantially perpendicular withrespect to the exterior surface S_(S) of the underlying substrate S) and(3) at least a portion of the intermediate surface 144 a ₂₋₃ of thesecond registration portion 144 a ₂ is spatially arranged below theplane P_(130b) that also extends across at least an upper-most portionof the intermediate wall surface 130 b ₁₋₃ defined by the third femaleportion 130 b ₁ of the plurality of female portions 130.

As seen in FIGS. 14E-14E′, once the implement-retaining portion 114 isarranged relative the mounting portion 112 as described above, theimplement-retaining portion 114 is moved toward the mounting portion 112(and toward the reference axis A₁₁₄-A₁₁₄) in the direction of the arrowA2′, which is opposite the direction of the arrow A2. Movement of theimplement-retaining portion 114 relative the mounting portion 112 in thedirection of the arrow A2′, results in at least a portion of theintermediate surface 142 a ₃ of the second wedging portion 142 beingarranged below the plane P_(132b) and thereby progressively coming intocontact with and being disposed adjacent at least a portion of theintermediate wall surface 132 b ₃ defined by the second wedging passage132 b. Additionally, movement of the implement-retaining portion 114relative the mounting portion 112 in the direction of the arrow A2′, mayalso result in: the neck portion 140 b of the first wedging portion 140of the implement-retaining portion 114 being further progressivelywedged within the first wedging passage 132 a as a result of: (1) thefirst side surface 140 b ₁ of the neck portion 140 b being furtherprogressively brought into contact with and being disposed adjacent thefirst wall surface 132 a ₁ defined by the first wedging passage 132 aand (2) the second side surface 140 b ₂ of the neck portion 140 b beingfurther progressively brought into contact with and being disposedadjacent the second wall surface 132 a ₂ defined by the first wedgingpassage 132 a.

Furthermore, in some instances, movement of the implement-retainingportion 114 relative the mounting portion 112 in the direction of thearrow A2′, may also result in: (1) at least a portion of theintermediate surface 144 a ₁₋₃ of the first registration portion 144 a ₁being arranged below the plane P_(130b) and thereby progressively cominginto contact with and being disposed adjacent at least a portion of theintermediate wall surface 130 b ₂₋₃ defined by the fourth female portion130 b ₁ of the plurality of female portions 130 and (2) at least aportion of the intermediate surface 144 a ₂₋₃ of the second registrationportion 144 a ₂ being arranged below the plane P_(130b) and therebyprogressively coming into contact with and being disposed adjacent atleast a portion of the intermediate wall surface 130 b ₁₋₃ defined bythe third female portion 130 b ₂ of the plurality of female portions130. Yet even further, movement of the implement-retaining portion 114relative the mounting portion 112 in the direction of the arrow A2′, mayalso result in: (1) at least a portion of the first side surface 144 a₁₋₁ and at least a portion of the second side surface 144 a ₁₋₂ of thefirst registration portion 144 a ₁ progressively coming into contactwith and being disposed adjacent, respectively, at least a portion ofthe first wall surface 130 b ₂₋₁ and at least a portion of the secondwall surface 130 b ₂₋₂ defined by the fourth female portion 130 b ₂ and(2) at least a portion of the first side surface 144 a ₂₋₁ and at leasta portion of the second side surface 144 a ₂₋₂ of the secondregistration portion 144 a ₂ progressively coming into contact with andbeing disposed adjacent, respectively, at least a portion of the firstwall surface 130 b ₁₋₁ and at least a portion of the second wall surface130 b ₁₋₂ defined by the third female portion 130 b ₁.

With reference to FIGS. 14F-14F′, as a result of the implement-retainingportion 114 being moved relative the mounting portion 112 in thedirection of the arrow A2′, the implement-retaining portion 114 is saidto be connected to the mounting portion 112 for defining the assembly100 being arranged in an assembled form. In an example, the assembledassembly 100 may result from, for example, the arrangement of: (1) thefirst wedging portion 140 within the first wedging passage 132 a and (2)the second wedging portion 142 within the second wedging passage 132 b.Such an arrangement of the first wedging portion 140 and the secondwedging portion 142 within the first wedging passage 132 a and thesecond wedging passage 132 b results in the implement-retaining portion114 being connected to the mounting portion 112 in a wedged,friction-fit configuration that resists the implement-retaining portion114 from being disconnected from the mounting portion 112. In anexample, as seen in FIGS. 14F-14F′, if an external force F in thedirection of arrow A3′, which is opposite the direction of the arrow A3,were to be applied to the implement-retaining portion 114, theintermediate surface 142 a ₃ of the second wedging portion 142 would beurged toward the intermediate wall surface 132 b ₃ defined by the secondwedging passage 132 b thereby preventing the implement-retaining portion114 from disconnected from the mounting portion 112 in an upwardlydirection. Further, if a pulling force F in the direction of arrow A4 isapplied to the implement-retaining portion 114, (for pulling theimplement-retaining portion 114 away from the exterior surface S_(S) ofthe underlying substrate S), the head portion 140 a of the first wedgingportion 140 is arranged behind and “hooked” about the first wedgingpassage 132 such that the second surface 140 a ₂ of the head portion 140a is urged into and disposed adjacent the neck-portion-engaging surface120 of the implement retainer interface portion 112 a ₂ of the bodyportion 112 a of the mounting portion 112. Yet even further, thearrangement of the first registration portion 144 a ₁ and the secondregistration portion 144 a ₂ within, respectively, the fourth femaleportion 130 b ₂ and third female portion 130 b ₁, provides afour-point-connection (taking into account the arrangement of the firstwedging portion 140 within the first wedging passage 132 a and thesecond wedging portion 142 within the second wedging passage 132 b asdescribed above) that further resists rotation R (see, e.g., FIG. 11B)of the implement-retaining portion 114 about an axis A₁₀₀-A₁₀₀ (see,e.g., FIG. 11B) extending the mounting portion 112.

Referring to FIGS. 14F-14F′ and 14G-14G′, when it may be desired toarrange the assembly 100 back to a disassembled orientation (i.e.,arranging the implement-retaining portion 114 in spatially separatedorientation with respect to the mounting portion 112 as seen in, forexample, FIGS. 14A-14A′), the implement-retaining portion 114 may thenbe pivoted away from the mounting portion 112 (and away from thereference axis A₁₁₄-A₁₁₄) in the direction of the arrow A₂ at the angleθ (see, e.g., FIGS. 14G-14G′). With the implement-retaining portion 114may then be pivoted away from the mounting portion 112 as seen in FIGS.14G-14G′: (1) the second wedging portion 142 is removed from the secondwedging passage 132 b, (2) the first registration portion 144 a ₁ isremoved from the fourth female portion 130 b ₂ of the plurality offemale portions 130 and (3) the second registration portion 144 a ₂ isremoved from the third female portion 130 b ₁ of the plurality of femaleportions 130. Thereafter, as seen in FIGS. 14H-14H′ and 14I-14I′, theimplement-retaining portion 114 is moved away from the mounting portion112 according to the direction of the arrow A3′, which is opposite thedirection of the arrow A₃ for removing the first wedging portion 140from the first wedging passage 132 a (as seen in FIGS. 14H-14H′) andthen subsequently arranging the implement-retaining portion 114 in aspatially separated state with respect to the mounting portion 112 (asseen in FIGS. 14I-14I′).

As described above at FIGS. 15-16, the implement retainer interfaceportion 112 a ₂ of the body portion 112 a of the mounting portion 112may be defined as having a first (upper) half 112 a ₂₋₁ and a second(lower) half 112 a ₂₋₂. In the above-described exemplary assembling anddisassembling of the assembly 100 at FIGS. 14A-14I′, the fourth femaleportion 130 b ₂ and the third female portion 130 b ₁ of the second(lower) half 112 a ₂₋₂ of the mounting portion 112 are respectivelyinterfaced with the first registration portion 144 a ₁ and the secondregistration portion 144 a ₂ while the first female portion 130 a ₁ andthe second female portion 130 a ₂ of the first (upper) half 112 a ₂₋₁ ofthe mounting portion 112 are not interfaced with any of the a pluralityof male portions 138 of the implement-retaining portion 114. Althoughthe first female portion 130 a ₁ and the second female portion 130 a ₂of the first (upper) half 112 a ₂₋₁ of the mounting portion 112 are notinterfaced with any of the a plurality of male portions 138 of theimplement-retaining portion 114, the provision of the first femaleportion 130 a ₁ and the second female portion 130 a ₂ of the first(upper) half 112 a ₂₋₁ of the mounting portion 112 still serves apurpose, as follows.

In an example, the mounting portion 112 may be connected to theunderlying substrate S by directing the substrate-penetrating portion112 b (which may be, for example, a self-boring threaded fastener) intothe underlying substrate S by rotating R the mounting portion 112 aboutthe axis A₁₀₀-A₁₀₀ (see, e.g., FIG. 11A) extending through thesubstrate-penetrating portion 112 b. In order to prevent an undesirableover-rotation R of the mounting portion 112 b, the first (upper) half112 a ₂₋₁ and the second (lower) half 112 a ₂₋₂ are designed withsymmetry such that either of the first pair of female portions 130 a(including the first female portion 130 a ₁ and the second femaleportion 130 a ₂) and the second pair of female portions 130 b (includingthe third female portion 130 b ₁ and the fourth female portion 130 b ₂)may be arranged for being interfaced with the first registration portion144 a ₁ and the second registration portion 144 a ₂. Therefore, althoughthe above-described steps for assembling and disassembling the assembly100 discloses the first registration portion 144 a ₁ and the secondregistration portion 144 a ₂ being interfaced with the fourth femaleportion 130 b ₂ and the third female portion 130 b ₁, the mountingportion 112 may be alternatively secured to the underlying substrate Ssuch that the first registration portion 144 a ₁ and the secondregistration portion 144 a ₂ are interfaced, respectively, with thesecond female portion 130 a ₂ and the first female portion 130 a ₁ andnot the fourth female portion 130 b ₂ and the third female portion 130 b₁, respectively; furthermore, if arranged in such an alternativeorientation, the first wedging portion 140 is arranged within the secondwedging passage 132 b and the second wedging portion 142 is arrangedwithin the first wedging passage 132 a.

Referring to FIGS. 21-24, a plurality of implement-retaining portions114 are shown. Each of the implement-retaining portions 114 include theplurality of male portions 138 extending from themounting-portion-engaging surface 134 as described above at FIGS. 12,14A-14I′ and 18-20; although the implement-engaging surface 136 of theimplement-retaining portion 114 of FIGS. 12, 14A-14I′ and 18-20 areshown being defined by a substantially flat surface, theimplement-engaging surface 136 of the implement-retaining portion 114may shaped or sized to include any desirable surface configuration suchas, for example, a storage pocket (see, e.g., FIGS. 21, 23), a hook (seee.g., FIGS. 11A-11B, 22), a frictional surface defined by bumps (see,e.g., FIG. 24) or the like for retaining an implement (e.g., an articleof clothing such as a hat, a smart phone, a camera, or the like) to theimplement-engaging surface 136 of the implement-retaining portion 114.Because each of the implement-retaining portions 114 of FIGS. 12 and21-24 include a similar configuration of the plurality of male portions138 extending from the mounting-portion-engaging surface 134, themounting portion 112 may function as a universal mounting portion 112that may permit any of the implement-retaining portions 114 of FIGS. 12and 21-24 to be removably-secured to the mounting portion 112.Furthermore, even if the implement-engaging surface 136 of theimplement-retaining portion 114 is defined to be a substantially flatsurface as seen, for example at FIGS. 12, 14A-14I′ and 18-20, thesubstantially flat surface may include, for example, an adhesive thatpermits, for example, an implement to be adhesively bonded in apermanent or selectively-removable fashion thereto.

With reference to FIGS. 25-26, 28 and 29A-29E, an exemplary assemblyshown generally at 200. The assembly 200 includes the mounting portion112 and an implement-retaining portion 214 (see also, e.g., FIG. 27). Asseen in FIG. 25, the mounting portion 112 removably-secures the assembly200 to an underlying substrate S, such as, for example, a post, a tree,drywall, a wall stud or the like. As described above, the mountingportion 112 provides mating structure (e.g., a plurality ofmale-receiving portions 128) that act as a universal interface thatpermits the potential for attachment of a variety of differentimplement-retaining portions (see, e.g., 114 in FIGS. 21-24) each havinga mating structure (see, e.g., 138 in FIG. 12) that corresponds to themating structure of the mounting portion 112.

In an example, as seen in FIG. 27, the implement-retaining portion 214includes an implement portion 215 (e.g., a substantially planar memberdefining a sign having an octagonal shape that includes or definesalphanumeric text 217 saying “POSTED KEEP OUT!”). In an example, theimplement portion 215 may define the alphanumeric text 217 as a resultthe implement portion 215 being die-cut, punched, molded or otherwiseformed with passages 219 that extend through a thickness T₂₁₅ of theimplement portion 215.

The implement portion 215 may also define one or more fastener-receivingpassages 221 that are sized for receiving a fastener (not shown, suchas, e.g., a screw). The one or more fastener-receiving passages 221extend through the thickness T₂₁₅ of the implement portion 215;accordingly, if optionally included, the fastener may assist in securingthe implement portion 215 to the underlying substrate S.

The implement portion 215 may also define one or more attachmentportions 223. The one or more attachment portions 223 may include one ormore attachment flanges 223 a and one or more attachment passages 223 bthat extend through the thickness T₂₁₅ of the implement portion 215. Inan example, each attachment flange (see, e.g., 223 a ₁, 223 a ₂, 223 a₃) of the one or more attachment flanges 223 a is arranged near eachattachment passage (see, e.g., 223 b ₁, 223 b ₂, 223 b ₃) of the one ormore attachment passages 223 b. In an example, the implement portion 215may define three attachment flanges 223 a (see, e.g., 223 a ₁, 223 a ₂,223 a ₃) and three attachment passages 223 b (see, e.g., 223 b ₁, 223 b₂, 223 b ₃). In an example, each attachment flange 223 a ₁, 223 a ₂, 223a ₃ includes an “L shape” body, and, in some instances, a first L-shapedattachment flange 223 a ₁ and a third L-shaped attachment flange 223 a ₃are arranged in a “down” orientation while an intermediate/secondL-shaped attachment flange 223 a ₂ is arranged in an “up” orientationfor cooperating to form a lateral attachment passage 225 (see, e.g.,FIG. 28).

Referring to FIG. 25, a plurality of male portions 238 extend away froma mounting-portion-engaging surface 234. The plurality of male portions238 may be defined by a first wedging portion 240 and a second wedgingportion 242 that is connected to the first wedging portion 240 by abridge portion 241. The plurality of male portions 238 may also bedefined by a pair of clamping portions 244 including a first clampingportion 244 a ₁ and a second clamping portion 244 a ₂.

Referring to FIG. 27, the first wedging portion 240 extends away fromthe mounting-portion-engaging surface 234 and includes a first sidesurface 240 a ₁ and an opposite second side surface 240 a ₂ that arejoined by an upper intermediate surface 240 a ₃. The first side surface240 a ₁ and the second side surface 240 a ₂ may be arranged in anon-parallel, converging relationship. In an example, with reference toFIG. 15, the first side surface 240 a ₁ of the first wedging portion 240is sized for being disposed adjacent the first wall surface 132 b ₁defined by the second wedging passage 132 b of the mounting portion 112or the first wall surface 132 a ₁ defined by the first wedging passage132 a of the mounting portion 112. With continued reference to FIG. 15,the second side surface 240 a ₂ of the first wedging portion 240 issized for being disposed adjacent the second wall surface 132 b ₂defined by the second wedging passage 132 b of the mounting portion 112or the second wall surface 132 a ₂ defined by the first wedging passage132 a of the mounting portion 112. Furthermore, the upper intermediatesurface 240 a ₃ of the first wedging portion 240 is sized for beingdisposed adjacent the intermediate wall surface 132 b ₃ defined by thesecond wedging passage 132 b of the mounting portion 112 or theintermediate wall surface 132 a ₃ defined by the first wedging passage132 a of the mounting portion 112.

The bridge portion 241 extends from a lower intermediate surface 240 a 4of the first wedging portion 240. The bridge portion 241 includes afirst side surface 241 a ₁, a second side surface 241 a ₂, a frontsurface 241 a ₃, a rear surface 241 a 4 and a lower surface 241 a ₅.

The second wedging portion 242 extends away from the rear surface 240 a4 of the bridge portion 241. The second wedging portion 242 includes afirst side surface 242 a ₁ and an opposite second side surface 242 a ₂that are joined by an upper intermediate surface 242 a ₃. The first sidesurface 242 a ₁ and the second side surface 242 a ₂ may be arranged in anon-parallel, converging relationship. In an example, with reference toFIG. 15, the first side surface 242 a ₁ of the second wedging portion242 is sized for being disposed adjacent the first wall surface 132 a ₁defined by the second wedging passage 132 b of the mounting portion 112or the first wall surface 132 b ₁ defined by the first wedging passage132 a of the mounting portion 112. With continued reference to FIG. 15,the second side surface 242 a ₂ of the second wedging portion 242 issized for being disposed adjacent the second wall surface 132 a ₂defined by the second wedging passage 132 b of the mounting portion 112or the second wall surface 132 b ₂ defined by the first wedging passage132 a of the mounting portion 112. Furthermore, the upper intermediatesurface 242 a ₃ of the second wedging portion 243 is sized for beingdisposed adjacent the intermediate wall surface 132 a ₃ defined by thesecond wedging passage 132 b of the mounting portion 112 or theintermediate wall surface 132 b ₃ defined by the first wedging passage132 a of the mounting portion 112.

As seen in FIG. 27, each of the first clamping portion 244 a ₁ and thesecond clamping portion 244 a ₂ is generally defined by an “L shape”body having at least a first mounting-portion-engaging-surface 2451 anda second mounting-portion-engaging surface 2452. Each of the firstclamping portion 244 a ₁ and the second clamping portion 244 a ₂ extendaway from the mounting-portion-engaging surface 234 and are sized andspaced apart from one another for clamping opposite sides of theimplement retainer interface portion 112 a ₂ of the body portion 112 aof the mounting portion 112. In an example, with reference to FIGS. 15and 27, the first mounting-portion-engaging-surface 245 ₁ is sized forengaging the implement-retaining-portion-engaging surface 122, and thesecond mounting-portion-engaging surface 245 ₂ is sized for engaging aside surface 121 of the body portion 112 a of the mounting portion 112that connects the neck-portion-engaging surface 120 to theimplement-retaining-portion-engaging surface 122.

Referring to FIGS. 29A-29E, exemplary steps for assembling the assembly200 are shown. As seen in FIG. 29A, the mounting portion 112 and theimplement-retaining portion 214 are shown in a separated, spaced-apartrelationship. Assuming the mounting portion 112 is removably-secured toan underlying substrate S, the assembly 200 is firstly formed by movingthe implement-retaining portion 214 toward the mounting portion 112 inthe direction of the arrow A1. Although the mounting portion 112 may beremovably-secured to the underlying substrate S, the mounting portion112 does not have to be removably-secured to the underlying substrate Sfor connecting the implement-retaining portion 214 toward the mountingportion 112.

As seen in FIG. 29B, after the implement-retaining portion 214 is movedtoward the mounting portion 112 in the direction of the arrow A1, thefirst wedging portion 240 is axially aligned with the first wedgingpassage 132 a of the plurality of wedging passages 132 of the pluralityof female portions 130. A reference axis extending along a length L₂₁₄of the implement-retaining portion 214 is shown generally at A₂₁₄-A₂₁₄.Although not required, for purposes of establishing an exemplary frameof reference, the reference axis A₂₁₄-A₂₁₄ may be substantially parallelto the exterior surface S_(S) of the underlying substrate S. Ascomparatively seen in FIGS. 29B and 29C, the implement-retaining portion214 may then be pivoted away from the mounting portion 112 (and awayfrom the reference axis A₂₁₄-A₂₁₄) in the direction of the arrow A2 atan angle θ.

As seen in FIG. 29C, while tilted at the angle θ away from the referenceaxis A₂₁₄-A₂₁₄ and while the implement-retaining portion 214 is stillseparated from the mounting portion 112, the first wedging portion 240is aligned with the first wedging passage 132 a of the plurality ofwedging passages 132 of the plurality of female portions 130. As seen inFIGS. 29C-29D, the implement-retaining portion 214 is then moved (withrespect to, for example, a spatially fixed orientation of the mountingportion 112 as a result of, for example, the mounting portion 112 beingremovably-secured to the underlying substrate S) according to thedirection of arrow A3. Movement of the implement-retaining portion 214according to the direction of the arrow A3 results in the first wedgingportion 240 of the implement-retaining portion 214 being progressivelywedged within the first wedging passage 132 a as a result of: (1) thefirst side surface 240 a ₁ of the first wedging portion 240progressively coming into contact with and being disposed adjacent thefirst wall surface 132 a ₁ defined by the first wedging passage 132 aand (2) the second side surface 240 a ₂ of the first wedging portion 240progressively coming into contact with and being disposed adjacent thesecond wall surface 132 a ₂ defined by the first wedging passage 132 a.

Furthermore, in some instances, movement of the implement-retainingportion 214 relative the mounting portion 112 in the direction of thearrow A3 (see, e.g., FIG. 29C), may also result in at least a portion ofthe first mounting-portion-engaging-surface 245 ₁ of each of the firstclamping portion 244 a ₁ and the second clamping portion 244 a ₂ beingdisposed adjacent the implement-retaining-portion-engaging surface 122of the body portion 112 a of the mounting potion 112. Yet even further,movement of the implement-retaining portion 214 relative the mountingportion 112 in the direction of the arrow A3, may also result in atleast a portion of the second mounting-portion-engaging-surface 2452 ofeach of the first clamping portion 244 a ₁ and the second clampingportion 244 a ₂ being disposed adjacent the side surface 121 of the bodyportion 112 a of the mounting portion 112. Arrangement of the firstclamping portion 244 a ₁ and the second clamping portion 244 a ₂relative the body portion 112 a of the mounting portion 112 results inthe first clamping portion 244 a ₁ and the second clamping portion 244 a₂ laterally clamping the body portion 112 a of the mounting portion 112.

As a result of the first wedging portion 240 of the implement-retainingportion 214 being progressively wedged within the first wedging passage132 a, the implement-retaining portion 214 may be said to be partiallysecured-to the mounting portion 112. Furthermore, as seen in FIG. 29D,at least a portion of the upper intermediate surface 242 a ₃ of thesecond wedging portion 242 is spatially arranged below a plane P_(132b)(extending across at least an upper-most portion of the intermediatewall surface 132 b ₃ defined by the second wedging passage 132 b;furthermore, the plane P_(132b) may be substantially perpendicular withrespect to the exterior surface S_(S) of the underlying substrate S).

As seen in FIG. 29D, once the implement-retaining portion 214 isarranged relative the mounting portion 112 as described above, theimplement-retaining portion 214 is moved toward the mounting portion 112(and toward the reference axis A₂₁₄-A₂₁₄) in the direction of the arrowA2′, which is opposite the direction of the arrow A2. As seen in FIG.29E, movement of the implement-retaining portion 214 relative themounting portion 112 in the direction of the arrow A2′, results in atleast a portion of the upper intermediate surface 242 a ₃ of the secondwedging portion 242 being arranged below the plane P_(132b). In someexamples, the portion of the upper intermediate surface 242 a ₃ of thesecond wedging portion 242 may thereby progressively coming into contactwith and being disposed adjacent at least a portion of the intermediatewall surface 132 b ₃ defined by the second wedging passage 132 b.Additionally, movement of the implement-retaining portion 214 relativethe mounting portion 112 in the direction of the arrow A2′, may alsoresult in: the first wedging portion 140 of the implement-retainingportion 214 being further progressively wedged within the first wedgingpassage 132 a as a result of: (1) the first side surface 240 a ₁ of thefirst wedging portion 240 being further progressively brought intocontact with and being disposed adjacent the first wall surface 132 a ₁defined by the first wedging passage 132 a and (2) the second sidesurface 240 a ₂ of the first wedging portion 240 being furtherprogressively brought into contact with and being disposed adjacent thesecond wall surface 132 a ₂ defined by the first wedging passage 132 a.

With reference to FIG. 29E, as a result of the implement-retainingportion 214 being moved relative the mounting portion 112 in thedirection of the arrow A2′, the implement-retaining portion 214 is saidto be connected to the mounting portion 112 for defining the assembly200 being arranged in an assembled form as seen in, for example, FIGS.26 and 28. In an example, the assembled assembly 200 may result from,for example, the arrangement of: (1) the first wedging portion 240within the first wedging passage 132 a and (2) the second wedgingportion 242 within the second wedging passage 132 b. Such an arrangementof the first wedging portion 240 and the second wedging portion 242within the first wedging passage 132 a and the second wedging passage132 b results in the implement-retaining portion 214 being connected tothe mounting portion 112 in a wedged, friction-fit configuration thatresists the implement-retaining portion 214 from being disconnected fromthe mounting portion 112. In an example, as seen in FIG. 29E, if anexternal force in the direction of arrow A3′, which is opposite thedirection of the arrow A3, were to be applied to the implement-retainingportion 214, the upper intermediate surface 242 a ₃ of the secondwedging portion 242 would be urged toward the intermediate wall surface132 b ₃ defined by the second wedging passage 132 b thereby preventingthe implement-retaining portion 214 from disconnected from the mountingportion 112 in an upwardly direction. Yet even further, the arrangementof the first wedging portion 240 within the first wedging passage 132 aand the second wedging portion 242 within the second wedging passage 132b as described above provides a two-point connection that furtherresists rotation R (see, e.g., FIG. 26) of the implement-retainingportion 214 about a central axis A₂₀₀-A₂₀₀ extending the mountingportion 112 that is substantially orthogonal to the exterior surfaceS_(S) of the underlying substrate S.

When it may be desired to arrange the assembly 200 back to adisassembled orientation (i.e., arranging the implement-retainingportion 214 in spatially separated orientation with respect to themounting portion 112 as seen in, for example, FIG. 29A), theimplement-retaining portion 214 may then be pivoted away from themounting portion 112 (and away from the reference axis A₂₁₄-A₂₁₄) in thedirection of the arrow A2 at the angle θ. With the implement-retainingportion 214 pivoted away from the mounting portion 112, the secondwedging portion 242 is removed from the second wedging passage 132 b.Thereafter, the implement-retaining portion 214 is moved away from themounting portion 112 according to the direction of the arrow A3′, whichis opposite the direction of the arrow A3 for removing the first wedgingportion 240 from the first wedging passage 132 a and then subsequentlyarranging the implement-retaining portion 214 in a spatially separatedstate with respect to the mounting portion 112.

A number of implementations have been described. Nevertheless, it willbe understood that various modifications may be made without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, otherimplementations are within the scope of the following claims. Forexample, the actions recited in the claims can be performed in adifferent order and still achieve desirable results.

What is claimed is:
 1. An assembly (100, 200), comprising: a mountingportion (112), wherein the mounting portion (112) includes a bodyportion (112 a), and a substrate-penetrating portion (112 b), whereinthe body portion (112 a) is defined by a substrate-engaging portion (112a ₁), and an implement retainer interface portion (112 a ₂) connected tothe substrate-engaging portion (112 a ₁); and an implement-retainingportion (114, 214) removably-connected to the implement retainerinterface portion (112 a ₂) of the body portion (112 a) of the mountingportion (112).
 2. The assembly (100, 200) of claim 1, wherein theimplement retainer interface portion (112 a ₂) of the body portion (112a) of the mounting portion (112) includes animplement-retaining-portion-engaging surface (122), wherein theimplement-retaining-portion-engaging surface (122) defines: a pluralityof male-receiving portions (128) defined by: a plurality of femaleportions (130) including: a first pair of female portions (130 a)including: a first female portion (130 a ₁), and a second female portion(130 a ₂), a second pair of female portions (130 b) including: a thirdfemale portion (130 b ₁), and a fourth female portion (130 b ₂), and aplurality of wedging passages (132) including: a first wedging passage(132 a), and a second wedging passage (132 b).
 3. The assembly (100) ofclaim 2, wherein the first wedging passage (132 a) is arranged betweenthe first female portion (130 a ₁) of the first pair of female portions(130 a) and the second female portion (130 a ₂) first pair of femaleportions (130 a), wherein the second wedging passage (132 b) is arrangedbetween the third female portion (130 b ₁) of the second pair of femaleportions (130 b) and the fourth female portion (130 b ₂) of the secondpair of female portions (130 a).
 4. The assembly (100) of claim 3,wherein the implement retainer interface portion (112 a ₂) of the bodyportion (112 a) of the mounting portion (112) includes: a first half(112 a ₂₋₁), and a second half (112 a ₂₋₂), wherein the first wedgingpassage (132 a) and the first pair of female portions (130 a) aredefined by the first half (112 a ₂₋₁) of the implement retainerinterface portion (112 a ₂) of the body portion (112 a) of the mountingportion (112), wherein the second wedging passage (132 b) and the secondpair of female portions (130 b) are defined by the second half (112 a₂₋₂) of the implement retainer interface portion (112 a ₂) of the bodyportion (112 a) of the mounting portion (112).
 5. The assembly (100) ofclaim 2, wherein the implement-retaining portion (114) includes amounting-portion-engaging surface (134), wherein the implement-retainingportion (114) includes: a plurality of male portions (138) extendingaway from the mounting-portion-engaging surface (134), wherein theplurality of male portions (138) are defined by: a first wedging portion(140), a second wedging portion (142), and a pair of registrationportions (144) including: a first registration portion (144 a ₁), and asecond registration portion (144 a ₂).
 6. The assembly (100) of claim 5,wherein the plurality of male portions (138) of the implement-retainingportion (114) are removably-interfaced with the plurality ofmale-receiving portions (128) of the mounting portion (112), wherein:the pair of registration portions (144) is removably-interfaced with oneof the first pair of female portions (130 a) and the second pair offemale portions (130 b), the first wedging portion (140) isremovably-interfaced with one of the first wedging passage (132 a) andthe second wedging passage (132 b), and the second wedging portion (142)is removably-interfaced with the other of the first wedging passage (132a) and the second wedging passage (132 b).
 7. The assembly (100) ofclaim 5, wherein the implement retainer interface portion (112 a ₂) ofthe body portion (112 a) of the mounting portion (112) is defined by: aneck-portion-engaging surface (120) that is shaped for contacting thefirst wedging portion (140) of the plurality of male portions (138) ofthe implement-retaining portion (114), and animplement-retaining-portion-engaging surface (122) that is shaped tocontact or be arranged opposite the mounting-portion-engaging surface(134) of the implement-retaining portion (114).
 8. The assembly (100) ofclaim 5, wherein the first wedging portion (140) is defined by: a headportion (140 a), and a neck portion (140 b), wherein the neck portion(140 b) is connected to the head portion (140 a), wherein the neckportion (140 b) extends away from the mounting-portion-engaging surface(134).
 9. The assembly (100) of claim 8, wherein the neck portion (140b) includes: a first side surface (140 b ₁) and an opposite second sidesurface (140 b ₂) that are joined by an intermediate surface (140 b ₃),wherein the first side surface (140 b ₁) and the second side surface(140 b ₂) are arranged in a non-parallel, converging relationship. 10.The assembly (100) of claim 5, wherein the second wedging portion (142)includes a first side surface (142 a ₁) and an opposite second sidesurface (142 a ₂) that are joined by an intermediate surface (142 a ₃),wherein the first side surface (142 a ₁) and the second side surface(142 a ₂) are arranged in a non-parallel, converging relationship. 11.The assembly (200) of claim 2, wherein the implement-retaining portion(214) includes a mounting-portion-engaging surface (234), wherein theimplement-retaining portion (214) includes: a plurality of male portions(238) extending away from the mounting-portion-engaging surface (234),wherein the plurality of male portions (238) are defined by: a firstwedging portion (240), a second wedging portion (242), and a pair ofclamping portions (244) including: a first clamping portion (244 a ₁),and a second clamping portion (244 a ₂).
 12. The assembly (200) of claim11, wherein the plurality of male portions (238) of theimplement-retaining portion (214) are removably-interfaced with theplurality of male-receiving portions (128) of the mounting portion(112), wherein: the first wedging portion (240) is removably-interfacedwith one of the first wedging passage (132 a) and the second wedgingpassage (132 b), and the second wedging portion (242) isremovably-interfaced with the other of the first wedging passage (132 a)and the second wedging passage (132 b).
 13. The assembly (200) of claim12, wherein a first mounting-portion-engaging-surface (245 ₁) of each ofthe first clamping portion (244 a ₁) and the second clamping portion(244 a ₂) is sized for engaging the implement-retaining-portion-engagingsurface (122), wherein a second mounting-portion-engaging surface (245₂) of each of the first clamping portion (244 a ₁) and the secondclamping portion (244 a ₂) is sized for engaging a side surface (121) ofthe body portion (112 a) of the mounting portion (112) that connects theneck-portion-engaging surface (120) to theimplement-retaining-portion-engaging surface (122).
 14. The assembly(100) of claim 1, wherein at least the substrate-engaging portion (112 a₁) of the body portion (112 a) of the mounting portion (112) is bendablyor flexibly connected to the implement retainer interface portion (112 a₂) of the body portion (112 a) of the mounting portion (112).
 15. Theassembly (100) of claim 1, wherein the substrate-penetrating portion(112 b) may be formed from a rigid, non-flexible material, wherein thesubstrate-penetrating portion (112 b) is threaded fastener having ashaft portion (112 b ₁) and a threaded portion (112 b ₃) extending awayfrom the shaft portion (112 b ₁).
 16. The assembly (100) of claim 1,wherein a head portion (112 b 4) of the substrate-penetrating portion(112 b) is arranged within a passage (115) formed by thesubstrate-engaging portion (112 a ₁) of the body portion (112 a) of themounting portion (112).
 17. The assembly (100) of claim 1, wherein thesubstrate-engaging portion (112 a ₁) of the body portion (112 a) of themounting portion (112) defines: a substrate-mounting surface (116)having a circumferential engagement lip (124) including a plurality ofprotuberances (126).
 18. A portion of an assembly (100), comprising: amounting portion (112), wherein the mounting portion (112) includes abody portion (112 a), and a substrate-penetrating portion (112 b),wherein the body portion (112 a) is defined by a substrate-engagingportion (112 a ₁), and an implement retainer interface portion (112 a ₂)connected to the substrate-engaging portion (112 a ₁).
 19. The portionof the assembly (100) of claim 18, wherein the implement retainerinterface portion (112 a ₂) of the body portion (112 a) of the mountingportion (112) includes an implement-retaining-portion-engaging surface(122), wherein the implement-retaining-portion-engaging surface (122)defines: a plurality of male-receiving portions (128) defined by: aplurality of female portions (130) including: a first pair of femaleportions (130 a) including: a first female portion (130 a ₁), and asecond female portion (130 a ₂), a second pair of female portions (130b) including: a third female portion (130 b ₁), and a fourth femaleportion (130 b ₂), and a plurality of wedging passages (132) including:a first wedging passage (132 a), and a second wedging passage (132 b).20. The portion of the assembly (100) of claim 19, wherein the firstwedging passage (132 a) is arranged between the first female portion(130 a ₁) of the first pair of female portions (130 a) and the secondfemale portion (130 a ₂) first pair of female portions (130 a), whereinthe second wedging passage (132 b) is arranged between the third femaleportion (130 b ₁) of the second pair of female portions (130 b) and thefourth female portion (130 b ₂) of the second pair of female portions(130 a).
 21. The portion of the assembly (100) of claim 20, wherein theimplement retainer interface portion (112 a ₂) of the body portion (112a) of the mounting portion (112) includes: a first half (112 a ₂₋₁), anda second half (112 a ₂₋₂), wherein the first wedging passage (132 a) andthe first pair of female portions (130 a) are defined by the first half(112 a ₂₋₁) of the implement retainer interface portion (112 a ₂) of thebody portion (112 a) of the mounting portion (112), wherein the secondwedging passage (132 b) and the second pair of female portions (130 b)are defined by the second half (112 a ₂₋₂) of the implement retainerinterface portion (112 a ₂) of the body portion (112 a) of the mountingportion (112).
 22. The portion of the assembly (100) of claim 18,wherein the implement retainer interface portion (112 a ₂) of the bodyportion (112 a) of the mounting portion (112) is defined by: aneck-portion-engaging surface (120), and animplement-retaining-portion-engaging surface (122).
 23. The portion ofthe assembly (100) of claim 18, wherein at least the substrate-engagingportion (112 a ₁) of the body portion (112 a) of the mounting portion(112) is bendably or flexibly connected to the implement retainerinterface portion (112 a ₂) of the body portion (112 a) of the mountingportion (112).
 24. The portion of the assembly (100) of claim 18,wherein the substrate-penetrating portion (112 b) may be formed from arigid, non-flexible material, wherein the substrate-penetrating portion(112 b) is threaded fastener having a shaft portion (112 b ₁) and athreaded portion (112 b ₃) extending away from the shaft portion (112 b₁).
 25. The portion of the assembly (100) of claim 18, wherein a headportion (112 b ₄) of the substrate-penetrating portion (112 b) isarranged within a passage (115) formed by the substrate-engaging portion(112 a ₁) of the body portion (112 a) of the mounting portion (112). 26.The portion of the assembly (100) of claim 18, wherein thesubstrate-engaging portion (112 a ₁) of the body portion (112 a) of themounting portion (112) defines: a substrate-mounting surface (116)having a circumferential engagement lip (124) including a plurality ofprotuberances (126).
 27. A portion of an assembly (100), comprising: animplement-retaining portion (114) including a mounting-portion-engagingsurface (134) and an opposite implement-engaging surface (136), whereinthe implement-retaining portion (114) includes: a plurality of maleportions (138) extending away from the mounting-portion-engaging surface(134), wherein the plurality of male portions (138) are defined by: afirst wedging portion (140), a second wedging portion (142), and a pairof registration portions (144) including: a first registration portion(144 a ₁), and a second registration portion (144 a ₂).
 28. The portionof the assembly (100) of claim 27, wherein the first wedging portion(140) is defined by: a head portion (140 a), and a neck portion (140 b),wherein the neck portion (140 b) is connected to the head portion (140a), wherein the neck portion (140 b) extends away from themounting-portion-engaging surface (134).
 29. The portion of the assembly(100) of claim 28, wherein the neck portion (140 b) includes: a firstside surface (140 b ₁) and an opposite second side surface (140 b ₂)that are joined by an intermediate surface (140 b ₃), wherein the firstside surface (140 b ₁) and the second side surface (140 b ₂) arearranged in a non-parallel, converging relationship.
 30. The portion ofthe assembly (100) of claim 27, wherein the second wedging portion (142)includes a first side surface (142 a ₁) and an opposite second sidesurface (142 a ₂) that are joined by an intermediate surface (142 a ₃),wherein the first side surface (142 a ₁) and the second side surface(142 a ₂) are arranged in a non-parallel, converging relationship. 31.The portion of the assembly (100) of claim 27, wherein theimplement-engaging surface (136) is defined by a substantially flatsurface.
 32. The portion of the assembly (100) of claim 27, wherein theimplement-engaging surface (136) is defined by a storage pocket.
 33. Theportion of the assembly (100) of claim 27, wherein theimplement-engaging surface (136) is defined by a storage pocket a hook.34. The portion of the assembly (100) of claim 27, wherein theimplement-engaging surface (136) is defined by a storage pocket africtional surface including a plurality of bumps.
 35. The portion ofthe assembly (100) of claim 27, wherein the implement-engaging surface(136) includes an adhesive.
 36. A portion of an assembly (200),comprising: an implement-retaining portion (214) including amounting-portion-engaging surface (234) and an oppositeimplement-engaging surface (236), wherein the implement-retainingportion (114) includes: a plurality of male portions (238) extendingaway from the mounting-portion-engaging surface (234), wherein theplurality of male portions (238) are defined by: a first wedging portion(240), a second wedging portion (242), and a pair of clamping portions(244) including: a first clamping portion (244 a ₁), and a secondclamping portion (244 a ₂).